The incident in the Giardini occurred during roof repair works on the Serbian Pavilion, due to unfavorable weather conditions, namely strong winds. Thanks to the timely reaction of the competent services, the fire was quickly contained and extinguished, stated in a written release by Marijana Kolarić, director of the Museum of Contemporary Art, which is organizing Serbia’s upcoming presentation at the Venice Biennale.
Following the fire that broke out this morning on the roof of the Serbian Pavilion in Venice, the Ministry of Culture also issued a statement. The ministry noted that, as part of the maintenance of Serbia’s pavilion in the Giardini within the Venice Biennale and preparations for the upcoming exhibition, waterproofing works were underway on the pavilion’s roof, which covers an area of about 200 square meters, carried out by the licensed Italian company “Gaiga Costruzioni.”
“Due to this morning’s rain, a drying technique was applied, and a spark, caused by strong winds, landed on one of the side ventilation windows, which are made of a combination of materials, wood and plastic,” the Ministry of Culture specified in its statement.
L’allarme a Venezia è scattato poco prima delle dieci del 18 marzo: un incendio è divampato dal tetto del padiglione Serbia ai Giardini della Biennale. Una grossa colonna di fumo scuro si è innalzata sopra la città.
— Repubblica (@repubblica) March 18, 2026
L’incendio è stato circoscritto grazie al rapido intervento… pic.twitter.com/CxOCusWYxP
It is further noted that a total of six out of about forty small windows were burned (with a total surface of 50×150 cm), as well as that “eight plexiglass panels on the roof itself were damaged, which, due to the flammable plastic, created a smoke effect that made the fire appear much larger than it actually was.”
“Firefighters, representatives of the Biennale Directorate, as well as the Directorate for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of the Republic of Italy arrived at the scene, and it was determined that the cultural monument was not endangered. A report was immediately filed and the damage was reported to the insurance for compensation, which will be covered by the insurance, that is, the Italian company, which is also the contractor,” the Ministry of Culture explained.
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Kolarić also emphasized that the competent institution for the protection of cultural heritage of the Republic of Italy determined that the Pavilion of the Republic of Serbia, as a cultural monument, was neither damaged nor endangered.
“Also, the safety of the personnel engaged in the works was not endangered at any moment.”
The competent services, as Kolarić further added, continue to monitor the situation and take all necessary measures to ensure that the works proceed smoothly and safely.
The remaining works and the exhibition setup will proceed, according to the Ministry of Culture, at an uninterrupted pace, so that Serbia’s pavilion can be ceremonially opened on May 8 as part of the presentation of the Republic of Serbia at the 61st International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale.
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Source: Nova.rs; Foto: Printscreen X